Greenville Triumph's Soccer Stadium Groundbreaking Marks a New Chapter for the Upstate Community with the support of Global Icon Ronaldinho
- Emmanuel Martinez
- Mar 12
- 3 min read
March 12, 2025
Today marked a new chapter for the community of Greenville SC and surrounding areas.
The groundbreaking started with a sunny day at BridgeWay Station in Mauldin SC. It was 10:30 am but had already surrounded the covered area where the event would take place. It was set to start at 11:30 AM but with the traffic created by the eager crowds it all took a little longer than expected. However, it was soon after that the players and staff made their way into the tent followed by Ronaldinho.
Partners and owners spoke about what their plans are for the community and their commitment to growth in the upstate area with this investment.
Why is Ronaldinho In Greenville South Carolina?
Back in October of 2024 it was announced that Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho would join Greenville Triumph Soccer Club as an investor, a team based in Greenville, South Carolina.
“The emphasis the Greenville Triumph and Liberty place on youth play through the boys and girls youth academy teams, and the level of competitive excellence of the Triumph professional team and Liberty pre-professional team is impressive, For me and our group, this is an opportunity to support soccer’s growth at all ages and levels, and to be part of a community that values international presence and a unique blend of cultures.” Ronaldinho said back in October.
Ronaldinho’s decision to invest in Greenville Triumph extends beyond the men’s team; it also encompasses the Greenville Liberty, the club’s women’s squad. His vision is ambitious: to propel the Triumph to Major League Soccer (MLS), the pinnacle of American soccer. However, this aspiration faces challenges as entry into MLS requires a substantial expansion fee, which was over $500 million as of 2025.
Greenville Triumph SC: A Brief Overview
Established in 2018, Greenville Triumph SC competes in the USL League One, the third tier of American professional soccer. The club quickly made its mark by reaching the league final in its inaugural season (2019) and clinching the championship in 2020. Under the guidance of head coach John Harkes, a former U.S. national team player, the Triumph have become a formidable presence in the league.
Impact on the Club and Community
Ronaldinho’s involvement brings global attention to Greenville Triumph, potentially attracting international talent and sponsorships. His emphasis on youth development aligns with the club’s commitment to nurturing local talent through its academy system. This focus aims to strengthen the team’s competitiveness and foster a deeper connection with the community.
Ronaldinho's Honoring Ceremony at Today's Greenville Triumph SC vs Union Omaga
With a day that consisted of being present at the new stadium groundbreaking, visiting Greenville Triumph's team store to greet fans, it was now game time.
7 PM Sharp the teams walked out and onto the pitch with Ronaldinho leading the way. Players took the time to greet the Brazilian legend as they prepared to take team photos. After the national anthem the club honored Ronaldinho where he received a standing ovation followed by chants and a couple " te invito unas chelas!' as they mimicked his signature celebration after a goal.
The starting whistle marked the beginning of the game, and the end to what was a euphoric day for the owners, staff, fans and memebers of the community. He was seen signing fan items as well as taking pictures with fans.
The cherry on top was Greenville Triumph SC beating Union Omaha 3-0 with a brace by Leonardo Castro and a singular but beautiful goal by Ben Zakowski.
Everythnig about today, March 12th 2025 is the perfect example of making the most of unlikely things happened in the Carolinas. With Charlotte, North Carolina having hosted Copa America, Gold Cup, and this year FIFA Club World Cup. Cary, NC With the now global The Soccer Tournament (TST), South Carolina has also made it a mission to host global soccer. Williams-Brice Stadium witnessed the historic matchup between Manchester United and Liverpool on August 3, 2024. With Greenville Triumph you have an ambitious team that according to sources has not ruled out making a run at becoming an MLS franchise. Will we ever see a South Carolina MLS team? At the moment is not likely, but with the increase in regional rivalries in the MLS growing each year as the league grows we cannot rule out South Carlolinian representation at the highest level of American Soccer.
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